Study of Most Educated States Ranks Indiana and Kentucky Near Bottom
Before I go any further, let me start by saying that “least educated” does NOT mean “least smart.” There’s a big difference. And if you’ve ever met folks here in Evansville (or anywhere in Indiana and Kentucky), you already know we’ve got plenty of smart, hardworking, talented people.
What the Study Actually Measured
Having said that, a new study from WalletHub took a look at education levels across all 50 states, and both Indiana and Kentucky (once again) landed near the bottom of the list. The study didn’t focus on how intelligent people are, but it does look at measurable things like educational attainment (how many people have high school diplomas, college degrees, etc.), the overall quality of schools, and achievement gaps between genders and races.
Where Kentucky Ranks In 2026
Kentucky came in at #44 overall – which the same ranking as 2025. The Bluegrass State ranked 45th in Educational Attainment and 28th in Quality of Education. Another stat that certainly has room for improvement is that Kentucky has the 46th lowest percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree.
Indiana Rankings And A Surprising Bright Spot
Indiana fared a little better, coming in at #40 overall – which is also the same ranking as 2025. The Hoosier State ranked 42nd in Educational Attainment — but here’s the bright spot: Indiana ranked 10th in the entire country for Quality of Education. That’s a pretty impressive stat and something to feel good about.
What does this really mean for us here in the Tri-State? It shows there’s room to grow — especially when it comes to higher education completion — but it also highlights that the quality of education in Indiana is strong. That’s encouraging for families raising kids here, adults considering going back to school, and anyone investing in our community’s future.
Scroll over the map below to see how the rest of the country is ranked, and if you want your eyes to go crossed by all of the expert's data, you can see the full report here.
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